AP headlines about black pastors are 'SINsational'

Thursday

Sep 27, 2012 at 5:46 PM

Forgive me, but I nearly cursed when I read the alarming headlines of an Associated Press story last week: "Some black pastors are telling their flocks to stay home Election Day." Like the many who were lured in by captivating headlines, I pushed the panic button on my computer and began a firestorm of emails.

Antionette Kerr

Forgive me, but I nearly cursed when I read the alarming headlines of an Associated Press story last week: "Some black pastors are telling their flocks to stay home Election Day." Like the many who were lured in by captivating headlines, I pushed the panic button on my computer and began a firestorm of emails.Heaven help us. Voter turnout is already low. Why would any pastors, particularly those who lived through the civil rights era, encourage black voters to stay at home on Election Day?The headlines made me want to fall on my knees. This voter suppression tactic goes against every principle in the history of American churches and clergy's role in helping African-Americans to obtain voting rights.I revisited stories and images of the many ordained civil rights leaders (who often met in churches). I shook my head in dismay as I contrasted the AP headlines with stories of early "get out the vote" efforts spearheaded by religious groups like The Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Did those pastors remember the community members who placed themselves in harm's way for voting rights? The AP headlines demanded a response. When I mentioned feeling burdened to do something, a friend looked at me and said, "Now you know that you can't argue with pastors." I was reminded that we've tried everything from .gov to .edu, but nothing beats .rev and the power of pastoral advice.It was divine intervention when I stumbled upon political commentator Roland Martin on CNN. Martin began a segment questioning the salacious misuse of headlines like: "Black Pastors say: Stay Home on Election Day." Martin began with a simple statement that caused me to repent. "Nothing in the story legitimately backed up that first line. Anybody who had read the full article would know that." Ah ha, but who couldn't stand to read the full story?So it wasn't true? Was the burden lifted? Like most people, I didn't take time to read the stories after the headlines (partially because I couldn't stomach the idea of pastors abusing the pulpit to dissuade voters). I followed Martin's advice and went back to read and reread the full stories online. I recognized themes, and there are serious ideological debates that have led some black Christians to question the president's stand on social issues. There is also reluctance by some pastors to embrace the faith of either candidate. Others have personally endorsed candidates. But where were the scathing anti-voting messages flooding the headlines?I think it's great that pastors are raising questions. Many of them demonstrate that the African-American vote is not some monolithic block that any party should automatically count on or write off. Like Martin, I still had a hard time finding the epidemic of black pastors telling congregants to stay at home on Election Day.In a very tiny way, I am glad that the AP's abuse of headlines has revived the discussion of voting rights. I was personally fooled by the "sensational" or what I now call "SINsational" headlines from a credible and reliable news source. I see the err of my media-loving ways. I acknowledge that those intentional overstated headlines prompted me to look back and reflect on the rich history of African-American churches, with pastors who fought for equal voting rights. What I found in our history made me proud all over again.The leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference registered thousands of minority voters in time for the 1958 and 1960 elections. They educated the community with voter education clinics throughout the South, and the SCLC raised awareness among African-Americans with documents declaring that ''their chances for improvement rest on their ability to vote.'' Black churches are still doing the same — some right here in Lexington. Perhaps some Americans will stay home on Election Day, and they certainly have that right. Let us hope that it's not because of clergy, or better yet, an overstated AP headline that makes scathing allegations toward black clergy.I confess: The Associated Press fooled me with a bogus headline, but I will not be fooled again. Proverbs says, "The simple believes every word: but the prudent man looks well where he is going." I take full responsibility for allowing myself to be fooled. As a former journalist, I should have known better. The Associated Press should also take responsibility for hiding spotty journalism behind sultry headlines. Shame on you!Martin said it best in an editorial written for CNN: "Our job in the media is to inform and enlighten, not confuse. Running such a confusing, unsupported story lacking basic context and perspective does not serve the public at all." Let the people say, "Amen!"Antionette Kerr is a freelance writer. You can email her at kerr@thewritefolks.com.